Radiation Effects in Shock-Wave Structure

Abstract

The equations for shock-wave structure, with the inclusion of radiation effects, are derived. These radiation effects are radiation pressure, radiation energy density, and radiative transfer of energy. Computations have been performed for a diffusion approximation of radiation flux and the neglect of radiation energy density and pressure. The results show that the over-all effect of radiation (under the aforementioned conditions) can be taken as a diminution of the Prandtl number, and that the shock width is larger than when viscosity and heat conduction alone are considered. The radiative contribution to the width of the shock is found to depend primarily on the ratio of the mean free path of radiation to that of the material particles. The proportionate increase in shock width is found to be a function of the Mach number and to increase with it.